REDANG ISLAND, Malaysia (25 July 2004) -- A young British woman on a family holiday in Malaysia has been killed in a snorkelling accident. Joanna Stillwell, 23, who was described by her father yesterday as the "light of our lives", died when she was hit by a dive boat off the island of Redang as she swam with her brother, Nicholas, 18, who was uninjured. Miss Stillwell had met her brother and parents, John and Janet, for a three-week holiday after travelling around Thailand and Malaysia for 14 months. Mr Stillwell, professor of geography at Leeds University, said: "She was a fantastic girl, intelligent, with an incredible sense of humour and zest for life." He said she had an advanced scuba-diving certificate. She and Nicholas had been swimming with turtles when the accident occurred on Saturday morning. "I was in my hotel with my wife and was called to the scene by my son," said Prof Stillwell, from Guiseley, West Yorks. "When I arrived, they had her in the boat and I spent some time in the boat with her. I believe she died in the water." His son gave a statement to police but did not see the incident. It is understood that he had become separated from his sister when they followed different turtles. Miss Stillwell graduated two years ago with a degree in geography and politics from Sheffield University. She had worked in Australia as well as travelling in South-east Asia and was due to meet her boyfriend in Thailand after the holiday. "It is a life cut short that had so much more to it," said her father, who arrived home with his wife and son yesterday. | | Joanna Stillwell with her brother Nicholas on holiday in Malaysia the day before she died. "We worried about her when she was travelling but she always kept in touch with family and friends by e-mail. It is ironic that she was with us when this happened." He said her body was due to be flown home today. Local sources said that Miss Stillwell had swum out of the snorkelling area and into a channel used by boats. The speedboat was used for diving and snorkelling trips by the Redang Bay beach resort, where the family was staying. It was on its way to collect guests from the hotel when the accident occurred. The boatman, Baharin bin Kamaruzaman, 24, was at first unaware that he had struck anyone. Then he and his brother dragged Miss Stillwell aboard and headed for the shore. Police arrested and questioned him and impounded the boat for tests. They classed the death as killing without intent, but bin Kamaruzaman was still in custody last night and public prosecutors will decide whether to charge him. SOURCE - Telegraph |
